Where Would the Cowboys be With a Healthy Tony Romo?

The Dallas Cowboys were 2-0, feeling good about themselves with divisional wins against the Giants and the Eagles. As we know, the second win of the season came at a high cost, as Tony Romo was injured and later placed on the IR.

Since then, the team has lost six straight games and a 2-0 start feels like forever ago at 2-6. So we ask, where would we be with Romo at the helm? Let's take things loss by loss and attempt to save the season...

Loss 1: Vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Cowboys running game went OFF in the first half of this game, as the now suspended Joseph Randle ran for three first-half touchdowns. However, with Brandon Weeden not proving a viable threat, the Atlanta defense stacked the box against the run and shut out Dallas in the second half to stay undefeated.

With Tony Romo in, the offense would have been much more balanced and I think the Cowboys would have won to go to 3-0.

Loss 2: at New Orleans Saints

The Cowboys went into the Superdome and forced overtime against the winless Saints. On just the second play of overtime, a defensive miscue allowed Drew Brees to find C.J Spiller for an 80-yard game-ending TD.

Just before that, at the end of the fourth quarter, the defense gave up what should have been another game-winning drive that resulted in a missed New Orleans field goal.

All that said, it's easy to blame the defense for this loss and say that it is still a loss with Romo. However, the Saints have lost to the likes of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota this season.

Hard to believe Romo would not have had a much different impact on this game. It's a bit of a stretch, but I'm putting the Cowboys at 4-0 with Tony Romo.

Loss 3: Vs. New England Patriots

We lost this game 30-6. The Cowboys could have brought back Roger Staubach and it wouldn't have mattered. This would be our first loss of the season no matter what.

Loss 4: at New York Giants

Coming off the bye week, this was the first game started by Matt Cassel. While the offense did some great things, including unleashing Darren McFadden, Cassel threw three interceptions - one of which went for a touchdown on the opening possession of the second half.

The defensive line was a disappointment in this game, and it came down to special teams, but I'm inclined to say that Romo would not have thrown these terrible interceptions - keeping the offense on the field and producing more points.

The Cowboys bounce back in a big way, moving to 3-0 in the NFC East and 5-1 on the season.

Loss 5: Vs. Seahawks

This game was tough. A one-point loss at home to the defending NFC Champions, with Tony Romo still having to face the legion of boom. What gives me hope that this would have been a win is the Cowboys putrid 0-3 red zone stat from this game.

Dez Bryant made his return in this game, and was blanketed by Richard Sherman. With Romo in, he works his magic in the red zone and finds Bryant or SOMEONE for at least one touchdown. That would have been all that was needed, as the Cowboys make a statement and improve to 6-1 on the year.

Loss 6: Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Cowboys' most recent loss came in overtime once again, and although a close call I think this remains a loss with Romo. Assuming the game still goes to overtime, the Eagles got the ball first and marched right down the field for a winning touchdown.

Nothing Romo can do about that. Cowboys suffer their first divisional loss, but remain 6-2 on the year.

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 04: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures against the Detroit Lions during the second half of their NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

6-2. 2-6. Mirror image records decided by one of the most polarizing signal callers in the league. This record would have us two games up in the NFC East. Instead, the Cowboys are in fourth place - two games behind the first-place Giants in the loss column.

It's fair to say that Cowboys Nation wants their quarterback back as soon as possible.

Born January 28th, 1996- Cowboys Super Bowl XXX. Point Boro Panther, Montclair State Red Hawk, and most importantly a proud member of Cowboys Nation! I host "Upon Further Review" on 90.3 WMSC FM and wmscradio.com every Friday from 1-4 PM ET. Twitter: @SeanMartinNFL.

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2018 Draft Class Season Review: LB Leighton Vander Esch

As the first round draft pick of America's Team, any player would be under a ton of pressure from all angles. Whether it's from the fans on the outside or the organization on the inside, the expectations around being a first round pick for the Cowboys are immense. But the pressure placed upon linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, from the second he was announced as the 19th overall draft pick, was second to none.

It felt like Cowboys Nation let out a collective groan when Vander Esch was taken, with fans hoping for a more glamorous first round selection. Someone like wide receiver Calvin Ridley or edge rusher Harold Landry would've done the trick, but after Vander Esch's rookie season it's hard to imagine either of those players would have had the impact Vander Esch did in 2018.

Though he didn't start a game until week 4, and didn't become the unquestioned full-time starting WILL until week 10, Vander Esch earned Pro Bowl honors for his rookie season. Tallying 140 total tackles and 2 interceptions, Vander Esch made his presence felt week in and week out.

Prior to the 2018 season, the Cowboys defensive success often came down to the health of Sean Lee. When available and playing at his best, Lee led an overachieving Cowboys defense to solid performances each week. But, when Lee went out (as he often did), the entire Cowboys defense seemed to fall apart.

This year, though, that all changed. When Sean Lee was out with injury the Cowboys defense got better. Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith became a versatile, hard hitting tandem the NFL immediately feared, and helped to direct the Cowboys defense to signature wins throughout the 2018 season.

There are arguments against taking any off-ball linebacker in the first round, as the value of the position has been questioned due to the new style of offense in the NFL. Nowadays linebackers are relegated to two-down players, taken off the field in favor of faster defensive backs on critical passing downs.

Leighton Vander Esch is athletic enough to be both an old school run stopper, but also a three down linebacker in today's fast paced NFL.

Despite the doubts which surrounded the pick, the Cowboys absolutely nailed their first round selection in 2018. And Leighton Vander Esch made Dallas' front office look like geniuses each and every Sunday.

What Is The Cowboys Most Pressing Offseason Need?

Finishing their season with a Division Round loss, Dallas Cowboys fans are getting a somewhat late start on the 2019 offseason. Of course, we'd much rather a later start, but the results are what they are.

Now Dallas must get better, and re-tool before heading into Dak Prescott's fourth season, and the Cowboys' 2019 campaign. Though they didn't feel all that close to a championship this season, looking around the roster, it's actually tough to identify one key need the Cowboys must address.

They are filled with young, talented players that they have high hopes for across the board. And in the places they are "older," such as across the offensive line, they have established veterans who aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

So what is the Cowboys' most pressing offseason need?

Well, despite already using their 2019 first round pick to address it, the answer very well might be wide receiver.

Adding Amari Cooper midseason provided a massive jolt to the Cowboys previously anemic passing attack, but on his own he is not enough to take this passing game to where it needs to be to compete in this new NFL.

Third round pick Michael Gallup is going to be a very good pro, and progressed really well as his rookie season went on. I think he can play opposite Amari Cooper nicely, and be the number two option in the passing game going forward.

Though arguably their best wide out against man coverage, Cole Beasley is a free agent, and if the reports are true about Scott Linehan returning in 2019 it could very well mean Beasley will not be opting to sign back with Dallas.

Regardless of Beasley's decision, however, the Cowboys need to seriously evaluate their pass catchers heading into next season.

This is a passing league. The rules have dictated that you must be able to pass the ball efficiently if you want to compete with the best of the best around the NFL. To take the next step in their progression, and reach an NFC title game and/or Super Bowl, Dak Prescott will need to have as explosive a group of pass catchers as possible.

The Cowboys have already taken solid steps to making this a reality, but another move or two this offseason could go a long way to putting Dallas in the conversation with teams like the Rams and the Saints in 2019.